Do carnivorous plants need watering? The correct watering method for potted plants
The frequency of watering carnivorous plants mainly depends on factors such as how enclosed the environment is, temperature, pot size, plant size, and the watering method. Watering on a fixed schedule is not suitable for plant growth. We should supply water according to the plant's needs; "check regularly and water on demand" is more reasonable. Carnivorous plants are divided into moisture-loving and drought-loving types. Most pitcher plants (Nepenthes) need their potting soil to be on the drier side, loose and breathable, with no standing water; Venus flytraps, most populations of sundews (Drosera), bladderworts (Utricularia) and others love moisture, so the potting soil should be fairly moist, and the pot can also be placed in a shallow tray of water; pitcher plants (Sarracenia) and others are not demanding and can tolerate both dry and wet conditions.
The moisture level of the potting soil can generally be judged by eye alone. When the potting soil is moist, it is dark gray; when it is very wet or has standing water, there will be tiny patches of white sheen; when the potting soil is fairly dry, it is dull gray with no luster; when the potting soil is completely dry, it is grayish white.
When the potting soil is on the dry side, we must water it. There are 3 watering methods: spraying, pouring, and soaking.
Spraying, that is, using a spray bottle or similar to mist the leaf surfaces and potting soil. It is suitable for weekly cleaning of plant leaves, for supplying water during leaf-cutting propagation of pitcher plants (Nepenthes), and can also be used for routine watering of most carnivorous plants (except carnivorous plants with sticky mucus such as sundews (Drosera) and butterworts (Pinguicula); frequent spraying will wash away the mucus, causing the mucus-secreting glands to decline, making it hard for the "dew drops" to form.)
Pouring, that is, watering with a watering can. It is suitable for large carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants (Nepenthes) and pitcher plants (Sarracenia).
Soaking, that is, pouring water into the saucer under the pot, relying on capillary action to keep the potting soil moist. This is the most convenient watering method; one watering can last a relatively long time. It is especially suitable for moisture-loving carnivorous plants, and is also the most suitable for carnivorous plants with sticky mucus such as sundews (Drosera) and butterworts (Pinguicula). You can also adjust the potting soil mix by adding more coarse, free-draining, airy substrate for drought-loving carnivorous plants.
Precautions for watering potted plants How to water potted plants
Flower and Bonsai Network introduction: What Flower and Bonsai Network editors share with you today is an article about precautions for watering potted plants and how to water potted plants. Let's take a look.
Many friends' fish are overfed and die from overeating, while most flowers are drowned by too much watering. Whenever they have free time, they water the plants. Within a few days the plants start to turn yellow, and by then root rot has actually begun. If not dealt with, the plants will soon die.
I. Watering methods for different plants
1. Water immediately when the potting soil is dry
Usually only some plants that especially love water need this, that is, potted plants whose soil must not be allowed to dry out completely. Once the soil 2-3 cm below the surface is dry, you need to water immediately, keeping the potting soil slightly moist and not letting the soil get too dry.
2. When the soil is completely dry, water thoroughly:
This is the care method for the vast majority of plants. Once the soil 3-5 cm below the surface is dry, water thoroughly until water drips from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
3. Keep the soil slightly dry
Some particularly drought-tolerant plants do not need thorough watering normally, only occasional top-ups. These plants must not be watered frequently; keep the soil slightly dry.
II. How to tell whether a plant lacks water
1. Weigh it by hand
Each time after watering a potted plant thoroughly, weigh it by hand; after the soil has dried out, weigh it by hand again. If there is an obvious change, it is real.
2. Check the soil
This is the simplest. Just insert a finger about 3 cm into the soil and you will basically know whether the plant lacks water.
III. Automatic watering
1. Short-term automatic watering
If the plants you grow especially love water but you will be away from home for a few days, you can directly use a cotton string to conduct water: place the water container in a high position and connect the potted plant and the water container with the cotton string.
2. You can fill a bottle with water and then invert it into the potting soil, but note that you should water the potting soil thoroughly beforehand.
IV. Pay attention to water quality when watering
What we drink daily is soft water, and the hardness of water also decreases after boiling, so it can be used to water flowers. Rainwater, river water and well water are also fairly suitable.
If tap water is used to water flowers over the long term, it easily makes the potting soil alkaline, which easily causes yellow leaves and soil compaction, and is not good for plant growth.
Tap water can be left in a container for 2-3 days before being used to water flowers; this can remove fluoride and chlorine compounds from the soil.
V. Pay attention to the timing of watering
Besides the commonly used trick of watering thoroughly when dry, you also need to consider timing. For example, when a plant is dormant, it must not be watered; at most give it a little water to keep it alive.
When summer temperatures are too high, many succulents and some plants that dislike high temperatures go dormant. At this time they stop growing and have no need for water. If you keep watering, the plants easily develop root rot.
When the weather is cold or plants are dormant, watering should be stopped. If ventilation is not especially good, watering at night is also not recommended, unless it is a hot summer.
How to water potted plants in winter? An introduction to winter watering methods for potted plants!
Nowadays, everyone very much likes to grow some potted plants indoors. They can not only purify the air, but also delight the mood and enrich life. In the process of caring for potted plants, watering is an indispensable step, especially in winter, when it is easy to accidentally water potted plants to death. So how should potted plants be watered in winter? Below, the editor introduces winter watering methods for potted plants. Let's take a look.
Image: Crab claw orchid
I. Crab claw orchid
The watering time for crab claw orchid is between 9:00-15:00. The watering cycle is generally between 10:00-15:00 in winter, when the potting soil will dry out; once you find the edge of the potting soil has dried, just water thoroughly. Because environments differ from place to place, you need to adapt accordingly. For water quality, use low-temperature water at around 0 degrees; when it blooms in winter, the flower buds will not wither. Generally speaking, watering crab claw orchid with tap water will not cause problems, but if conditions allow, still let tap water stand for a period (1-2 days) before watering the flowers.
Image: Asparagus fern
II. Asparagus fern
The watering time for asparagus fern is between 16:00-17:00. The watering cycle for asparagus fern can last a bit longer, so watering again after about half a month to a month is no problem. Feel with your hand: when the potting soil is slightly dry, it is time to water. For water quality, fresh water containing no salt, alkali or other harmful substances is best. Tap water should be left to stand for 1-2 days so that the water temperature is close to room temperature before use.
Image: Clivia
III. Clivia
The watering time for clivia is when the temperature is above 10°C. For the watering cycle, follow the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet; stick firmly to this principle. If you cannot determine whether it is dry or wet, you can dig out a little potting soil and look; this is a clumsy method, but it is very effective. For water quality, give priority to rainwater, snow water and river water. If you only have tap water, it must be left to stand for 1-2 days before use.
Image: Succulents
IV. Succulents
The watering time for succulents is on sunny days, generally between 10:00-14:00. The watering cycle for succulents is: when the minimum temperature is around 10°C, stretch out the usual watering frequency; when the temperature is below 5°C, control water and just water a small amount along the edge of the pot. For water quality, do not use freshly drawn water straight away. If the area where you live has a lot of rain and snow, you can usually collect more rainwater and snow water. You can also let the water for watering stand for 2-3 days before watering. The water temperature should be similar to room temperature, otherwise the succulent's roots cannot take it.
Image: Gardenia
V. Gardenia
The watering time for gardenia is simply at midday. For the watering cycle, wait until the surface of the potting soil becomes dry, then it is time to water, but the amount of water should be less than before; alternatively, after the potting soil dries, wait a few more days before watering. During the winter dormant period, it is better to water less. For water quality, ordinary clean water is fine; using tap water normally for watering is no problem either, but if conditions allow, it is best to let tap water stand for 1-2 days.
Image: Rose
VI. Rose
The best watering time for roses is during the day. The watering cycle can differ depending on whether they are planted in the ground or in pots. Ground-planted roses are watered once in November, and after that there is no need to bother. Potted roses can be watered thoroughly after they have dried out completely. Roses are not very demanding about water quality, so tap water is fine.
Image: Orchid
VII. Orchid
The watering time for orchids is around 1:00 on clear, warm days. The watering cycle is "not dry in summer and autumn, not wet in winter and spring." Keep this sentence firmly in mind. In winter, keeping the potting soil slightly moist is enough; rather let it dry out than water casually. When the potting soil is truly very dry, you can gently mist the surface, but do not use a lot of water! For water quality, rainwater and snow water are best. When the seasons change, there is more rainwater, so it is best to store some; next, you can choose river water or groundwater.
Image: Anthurium
VIII. Anthurium
The watering time for anthurium is in the morning and at midday on clear, warm days. For the watering cycle, just water when dry and stop when wet. Generally in winter, the water dries up in about a week; at this time water once, then wait until it dries again before watering. The amount of water should still be reduced, and it is fine to slightly extend the watering interval. When watering, the water temperature is best around 14°C. Choose slightly acidic water for watering as much as possible. Tap water can be used after standing for 3 days. Rainwater is the best water source for caring for anthurium; it is better to store a little more when it rains. Ordinarily, you can use discarded cola bottles or mineral water bottles, fill them with tap water, let them stand for 3-4 days, and then spray the leaves of the anthurium.
Image: Snake plant
IX. Snake plant
The watering time for snake plant is 10:00-16:00 on clear, warm days. The watering cycle is 15-20 days; the potting soil is then about completely dry, so you can water once. If it is not dry, do not water it; water whenever it dries. In addition, extending the time by a few days is no problem, but when watering you must water thoroughly, until you see water slowly flowing out from the holes at the bottom. Snake plant is not demanding about water quality; tap water is completely fine.
Image: Jasmine
X. Jasmine
The watering time for jasmine is 10:00-16:00 on clear, warm days. For the watering cycle, just keep the inside of the potting soil slightly moist (note: the inside; it does not matter if the surface soil dries until hard). Generally, a small amount of water every 1-2 weeks is enough; you can pour it into the saucer. For water quality, rainwater and river water are both fine. Tap water must be left for one or two days before watering. Occasionally watering with rice-washing water is also fine.
[Editor's conclusion]In the winter care of potted plants, watering is a very important step. The article above introduced watering techniques for 10 common potted plants. Do you all understand them now?